I have news for you. Not only do all major distributions of Linux run on iMacs, they run better, per se, than on Windows. It's much easier to configure your iMac with Linux than it is to configure your OEM Dell or Gateway or do-it-your-selfer. Not only can you install Linux, but you can also install OpenBSD and NetBSD. A FreeBSD PPC port is in the works too. And of course you can run older revs of BeOS if you're the type.

So which alternative OSes were you thinking of running seriously? QNX? Plan 9? Gnu Hurd? Solaris x86? (EOL) Don't make me laugh. I suggest you read up on Mac vs PC history. You may end up erasing most of your false preconceptions of the Mac platform.

You may also find out why these alternative OSes are in various stages of decomposition or stagnation.

And unlike Windows, Mac OS X is a UNIX, it is 99% POSIX compliant. It will compile source code from freshmeat.net right off the bat.

Gene Miller
wrote:

I enjoy the idea that we only have one main operating system for
PC's and one main operating system for iMAC. At least on PC's you
can have multiple operating systems that we can install on a PC. If
you feel there are better operating systems, you are free to
install them. If you do not want to buy a computer with a
pre-installed operating system, you can build your own system or
have it built.